Special artists legacy

It is the book that artist, conservationist and countryman Gordon Beningfield was working on at the time of his death in 1998.

His widow Betty and the well-known countryman Robin Page then set about finding his paintings and finished the book as a tribute to this "very special artist and true guardian of the countryside".

A supporter of the traditional way of country life, Gordon felt passionately about farming, wildlife, landscape and rural people. And his understanding of these areas is clear from the delightful pictures in this book, which also features the poetry and prose of John Clare.

The royalties from the book will go to Betty Beningfield and a donation from the sale of each one will be made to the Gordon Beningfield Memorial Appeal for the purchase of a Dorset farm to be run traditionally in his memory. TR

*Beningfields Vanishing Songbirds, published by Birds Farm Books, Barton, Cambs CB3 7AG, is available from the publisher for £28 (including £3 p&p) or from bookshops, priced £25.